Non-league football club goes viral after sharing photo of 'elite' match day food

Reading City FC are a long way from the Premier League, but the non-league side's matchday food offering has caught the attention of football fans across the country

A non-league football club has whipped social media into an absolute frenzy after a picture of its match day culinary offering went viral on X.

Despite charging £12.99, the dish has been hailed as "elite" by fans across the nation - even though the club in question - Reading City FC - compete in the modest echelons of the Combined Counties League Premier Division North. But their menu apparently rivals that of clubs much loftier on the footballing ladder it seems.

The Football Away Days account (@fbawaydays) shared a mouth-watering snapshot of the grub with the caption: "Reading City FC sell this Chinese selection box for £12.99. Looks unreal," Within the coveted box: a curry, salt and pepper chicken strips, chicken nuggets, and chips.

The post had close to 900,000 X users buzzing within 24 hours, with many expressing their eagerness to give it a try. One said: "Looks better than what most Premier League clubs offer their fans," while another user declared: "I've just booked my trip to Reading City next week."

A third admitted: "I'd get a season ticket there just for that." Whilst a fourth simply asked: "Why am I only learning about this now?"

Elsewhere, however, football traditionalists chimed in, nostalgic for more familiar game-day fare. One observer thirsted for a simpler treat: "I know I'm getting old - but who goes to footy to buy that - get me a pint of John Smiths and a Pukka Pie. Cheers."

Another confessed they'd "prefer a Scotch pie, and a third griped: "Not being funny but who would buy that at a Football match?"

Reading City FC confessed the story behind their viral dish, revealing a social media "wind-up" that led to its birth. "You've probably seen this week that our matchday cuisine has been a hit, and for just £12.99 you can purchase one of our famous Chinese selection boxes, we'd suggest that you arrive early to avoid disappointment," they said in 2021.

"What started out as a wind-up has seen us become a viral sensation this week and due to popular demand, we've decided to add these Chinese selection boxes to our matchday menu."